The naval blockade of the US Navy in front of the Strait of Hormuz has been in force since 4pm Italian time. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Authority (UKMTO) has raised the alarm over new maritime access restrictions affecting Iranian ports and coastal waters. The restrictions affect all ships to and from Iranian ports. Neutral ships currently present in Iranian ports have been given a limited grace period to depart again.
Trump: “If Iranian ships try to violate the blockade they will be eliminated”
If any of the ‘fast ships’ come even remotely close to our blockade, they will be eliminated immediately, using the same method of elimination we employ against drug dealers on boats at sea: swift and brutal.” So Donald Trump on Truth.
Without flag distinctions
“Any ship entering or leaving the blocked area without authorization will be subject to interception, hijacking and capture,” says CENTCOM (US Central Command). The UKMTO warns: “Maritime access restrictions are in place affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas,” applicable “without distinction to ships of any flag” operating in ports, oil terminals and coastal infrastructure. The measures concern “the entire Iranian coast, including ports and energy infrastructure,” in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz.
No obstacles for non-Iranian ports
The UKMTO said transit through the Strait to or from non-Iranian destinations is “not known to be impeded”, but ships may face “military presence, targeted communications or visiting rights procedures” during the passage.
Contact US Navy Channel 16
Ships in the region were urged to “maintain high situational awareness,” ensure “maximum bridge operational readiness” and exercise caution in communications. CENTCOM “advises all mariners to monitor Mariner Advisories broadcasts and contact U.S. naval forces on channel 16 (bridge-to-bridge communications) when operating in the Gulf of Oman and the waters approaching the Strait of Hormuz.”